4-H
1. What is 4-H?
4-H is the largest, informal educational program for youth in the world. It is a community of young people across America who learn leadership, citizenship, and life skills as they work on 4-H projects and participate in a variety of educational activities in their club and county. 4-H is where there's fun in learning and learning is fun!
2. What is a 4-H club?
4-H clubs are the foundation of the 4-H program. These clubs are community based and are open to any youth eligible for 4-H membership, regardless of race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, disability, ancestry, sexual orientation, pregnancy, marital, or parental status. A 4-H club is a group of five or more youth guided by one or more adult volunteer leaders. Youth members serve as officers for the club which must meet on a continuing basis, usually once a month. Club participation is family oriented. Click here to find a club for you!
3. What is a 4-H project?
4-H projects are one of the primary ways members participate in the program. Every 4-H member selects one or more projects they want to complete during the year, and then participates in a series of educational activities related to the project. These activities provide youth a variety of opportunities to learn new technical, practical, and life skills through hands-on participation. Often these educational activities are led by a volunteer leader. Click here for more information on 4-H projects.
4. Isn't 4-H just for kids who live on farms?
No! 4-H is for all youth, wherever they live - on farms, in suburbs, or in cities. In fact, in Brown County, the majority of 4-H members do not live on farms.
5. How can I get involved in the Brown County 4-H program?
Contact one of the Brown County 4-H Clubs or click here to email 4-H staff at the Extension Brown County office.
6. How old does a child need to be to join 4-H?
Children as young as 5 and in kindergarten can join Cloverbuds, the 4-H program for younger children. Cloverbuds provide children an opportunity to get involved in 4-H and explore a wide variety of project areas in a non-competitive environment. A child in third grade through one year following graduation from high school is eligible for regular 4-H membership.
7. Is 4-H affiliated with any state or national organizations?
Yes! 4-H is the youth development program of the land grant university and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Cooperative Extension System. Here in Wisconsin, it is under the supervision of the University of Wisconsin-Extension. Funding for the program is a partnership of the USDA, UW-Extension, and the local county.
8. What does a 4-H volunteer do?
The duties of 4-H volunteers vary with the type of leader position they hold. These positions include: Club Leader, Project Leader, Resource Leader, or Activity Leader. Some leaders organize 4-H clubs, others lead projects, many serve on committees, and a few serve as chaperones. All volunteers must complete a Volunteer Application Form and 4-H Enrollment Form, participate in Volunteer Orientation, and participate in a background records check.
